Angio capable portable x-ray fluoroscopy unit with sliding C-arm and variable pivot

Abstract

An “Angio Capable Portable X-Ray Fluoroscopy Unit with Sliding C-Arm and Variable Pivot Point” is disclosed. It is a new Portable C-Arm x-ray system for fluoroscopy (e.g., angio fluoroscopy) that permits head-to-foot, or cranio-caudal, angulation without appreciable degradation or rotation of the recorded image in the segment of possible views most desired to be used for cardiac angiography, generally between a vertical beam and 60 degrees to the patient's left side from vertical. Applicant's preferred embodiment comprises an portable x-ray device of the type having a C-arm which “slides” through a fixed C-slider housing or sleeve mounted onto a portable base, wherein: the C-slider housing is mounted onto the portable base through a rotatable tilt bearing, and the rotation axis of the bearing and fixed sleeve can be repositioned, within an arcuate slot in the base, from approximately horizontal, when the x-ray beam is vertical, to between approximately 60 degrees and 40 degrees below horizontal in a vertical plane.

1. In a portable x-ray device of the type having an x-ray source, an image receptor, and a C-arm support apparatus, wherein a C-arm slides in a stationary arc in a single X-Y plane through a C-sleeve mounted on a portable base, the improvement comprising: a rotatable tilt bearing means for pivoting the arc, and C-sleeve, in a Z-plane around a pivot axis; and a sliding pivot point means for repositioning the tilt bearing means, and pivot axis, in the X-Y plane along an arcuate path from approximately a horizontal position, when the x-ray beam is vertical, to a position approximately 60 degrees below horizontal in a vertical plane. 
     
     
       2. In a portable x-ray device of the type having an x-ray source, an x-ray beam, an image receptor assembly, and a C-arm support apparatus, wherein a C-arm slides in an arc within a single plane through a fixed C-slider housing, and the C-arm and C-slider housing are mounted onto a base, the improvement comprising: a rotatable tilt bearing means for pivoting the C-slider housing in a rotational axis; the C-arm and C-slider housing are mounted onto the base by the rotatable tilt bearing means; and, a sliding pivot point means for selectively repositioning the rotational axis, and C-slider housing, along an arc from approximately a horizontal position, when the x-ray beam is vertical, to between a position approximately 60 degrees and 40 degrees below horizontal in a vertical plane. 
     
     
       3. The device of  claim 2  wherein the base has wheels for portability; the rotatable tilt bearing means includes a rotatable tilt bearing; and the C-arm and C-slider housing are mounted onto the base by the rotatable tilt bearing. 
     
     
       4. The device of  claim 3  wherein the tilt bearing means comprises a reversible drive motor, removably attached to the rotatable tilt bearing, to selectively rotate the C-slider housing about the C-slider pivot axis. 
     
     
       5. The device of  claim 4  wherein the sliding pivot point means comprises: an arcuate pivot carriage guide track mounted to the base; a carriage with guide rollers which slides within the track, wherein the carriage is attached to the C-slider housing by a rotatable tilt bearing that rides atop a slot in the guide track. 
     
     
       6. The device of  claim 5  wherein a drive gearmotor selectively locates the carriage and C-slider housing by a drive chain attached to the carriage. 
     
     
       7. In a portable x-ray device of the type having an x-ray source, an x-ray beam, an image receptor assembly, and a C-arm support apparatus, wherein a C-arm slides in an arc within a single plane through a fixed C-slider housing, and the C-arm and C-slider housing are mounted onto a base, the improvement comprising: a rotatable tilt bearing means for pivoting the C-slider housing in a rotational axis; the C-arm and C-slider housing are mounted onto the base by the rotatable tilt bearing means; and a sliding pivot point means for selectively repositioning the rotational axis, and C-slider housing, along an arc from approximately a horizontal position to a position between approximately 60 degrees and 40 degrees below horizontal in a vertical plane. 
     
     
       8. In a portable x-ray device of the type having an x-ray source, an x-ray beam, an image receptor assembly, and a C-arm support apparatus, wherein a C-arm slides in an arc within a single plane through a fixed C-slider housing, the C-arm and C-slider housing move only in a single plane relative to one another, and the C-arm and C-slider housing are mounted onto a wheeled base, the improvement comprising:
 a. a rotatable tilt bearing means for pivoting the C-slider housing in a rotational axis, wherein:
 i. the rotatable tilt bearing means includes a rotatable tilt bearing; and 
 ii. the C-arm and C-slider housing are mounted onto the base by the rotatable tilt bearing.